Vol. 94, No. 44 1 section, 12 pages
FRIDAY
March 24, 2006
www.acuoptimist.com
Pro prospects
Common delays
‘Vendetta’ delivers
Five Wildcats work out for scouts from 12 professional teams, page 12
Delays in receiving equipment postponed the Learning Commons’ opening until April, page 3
V for Vendetta causes viewers to think about freedom, page 4
Delta Theta makes return
Equality Riders set for stop University prepares for day of activities n After assurances from Soulforce that there will not be civil disobedience here, administrators said the campus is ready for peaceful dialogue.
n After remaining deactivated for almost six months, the women’s social club completed its self-study of the group and now can participate in spring rushes and formal.
By JONATHAN SMITH Editor in Chief
With months of preparations, planning and organization behind, the campus now awaits Sunday’s arrival of the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender activist group Soulforce on its Equality Ride tour. Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, said he thinks students and faculty here are prepared for Soulforce’s arrival this weekend and Monday’s scheduled day of activities and forums. “Overall, the campus is ready,” Money said. “We have made an effort and will continue to be Christlike in our approach but at the same time firm in our stance about scripture.” Soulforce Equality Ride began visiting religious and military universities and institutions March 10 with the
By MALLORY SHERWOOD Managing Editor
Delta Theta was reactivated Wednesday, six months after pledging was halted. Administrators stopped pledging midway through October after the club’s advisers resigned because they didn’t agree with the direction the club was headed, said Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life. “The women completed a self-study of the club which encouraged them to go back to the original ideas of the club and to see what was tradition in the club,” Barnard said. “They had mean-spirited pledging See
DT page 8
GSP cyclists raise $8,500 n Twenty members of the social club Gamma Sigma Phi took turns riding bicycles continuously for almost three days to ride more than 1,200 miles to Malibu, Calif. By JACI SCHNEIDER Copy Editor
One hospital visit, one Price is Right contestant, about $8,500, and more than 1,200 bicycled miles came together to make a spring break to remember for 20 men of Gamma Sigma Phi. The students bicycled from Abilene to Malibu, Calif., to raise money for the research of Osteogenesis Imperfecta, an incurable disease that afflicts 10-year-old Matt Phillips, son of Dr. Mark Phillips, assistant professor of management. The group left Abilene on the afternoon of March 10 and arrived in Malibu the morning of March See
BIKE page 8
Brian Schmidt/Chief Photographer
Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life, speaks to students during Chapel on Thursday about next week’s visit by the Soulforce Equality Ride. Barnard gave details about the visit and answered students’ questions
Group expects warmer welcome in Abilene n After significant restrictions during their first six stops on the tour, a co-director of Equality Ride said she looks forward to open discussion in Abilene. By MALLORY SHERWOOD Managing Editor
After six failed attempts to publicly speak on religious campuses chosen because of their supposed enrollment ban of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students, members of Soulforce Equality Ride anticipate a better reception during their visit Monday in Abilene. Thirty-four Equality Riders left March 5 for a seven-week bus tour to 19 academic institutions and military academies in hopes of creating dialogue
between administrators, faculty and students about the implications, effects and suffering caused by the ban of GLBT students. Of the past six visits, none of the universities has allowed the riders to publicly discuss their views on campus and at three of the universities — Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va., and Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla. — members were arrested for stepping on to university property. Haven Herrin, co-director of Equality Ride, said the schools made the decision to arrest members. “Our main goal is to See
VISITS page 9
Public forum schedule Three public forums are open to students, faculty and staff and other members of the campus throughout Monday’s activities: • 9-10:45 a.m. - Discussion with Soulforce and university representatives in the Hilton Room of the Campus Center. Multimedia presentation by Soulforce entitled “A history of violence,” and university response and discussion. • 3:30-5 p.m. - Informal dialogue with students, faculty and staff in the Hilton Room. • 7-8:30 p.m. - Coffeehouse conversation regarding the portrayal of sexuality in the media in Hart Auditorium.
purpose of bringing “hope and healing to gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender students who are forced to live and suffer in closets of fear on their college campus,” according to its Web site, www.equalityride.com. Jacob Reitan, 24-yearold co-director of Equality Ride, said for many people, oppressing or discriminating GLBT is second nature. “But we’re trying to challenge that notion and make it uncomfortable for people to feel that way without thinking about it,” Reitan said.
Monday’s visit ACU is the seventh stop on the 51-day tour, but it is the first university to cooperate with Equality Ride to allow members on campus and plan activities and forums for the group’s day-and-a-half stay. Four private universities visited by Equality Ride — Liberty, Regent, Union and Oral Roberts — have not allowed the group on campus. Almost 40 arrests have been See
SOULFORCE page 9
Students curious to see reactions to Soulforce n Some report hearing only positive feedback about the visit, but others said they have heard displeasure with the university’s handling of the situation. By SARAH CARLSON Arts Editor
As the university awaits the visit from Soulforce’s Equality Ride, many students are anxious about the visit’s outcome and whether opposing opinions will lead to violent behavior. ACU is one of 19 religious and military institutions along Equality Ride’s route and the first after six stops to open its doors to the group. Administrators have planned in detail the events for the visit, scheduling time for Soulforce members to interact with students and faculty, with goals for each group to learn more about the other. Many students expressed a sense of anxiety and a feeling of uncertainty of what Soulforce stands for or why it is visiting campus. “I think it’s a ticking
time bomb waiting to go off,” said Zach Tabers, senior vocal performance major from Abilene, about the outcome of the visit and the students’ reaction to Soulforce. “I don’t think it will be that dramatic, but I think it could get out of control easily.” Tabers said it is a credit to the university that it is welcoming Soulforce members to campus, and it is important for the university to explore various ideas and opinions while exhibiting an attitude of Christian love. “The fact that we’re a Christian university means that students, faculty and administrators should act as Jesus did,” he said. “That means acting as a gracious host while these people are here, being Christ-like.” Kevan Kirksey, freshman finance and accounting major from Tyler, said he thinks ACU has handled the lead-up to Soulforce’s visit better than the other See
STUDENTS page 9
Students ratify new constitution n The Students’ Association Congress next week will turn its attention to reworking its bylaws to correspond with the newly approved constitution. By JONATHAN SMITH Editor in Chief
Brian Schmidt/Chief Photographer
Cortney Armstrong, senior integrated marketing communication major from Mesquite, and Kisha Knight, senior IMC major from Mesquite, look at a list of proposed changes to the Students’ Association constitution before voting Tuesday in the Campus Center. Department of Journalism and Mass Communication
Students overwhelmingly voted to ratify the new constitution for the Students’ Association Congress during voting Tuesday and Wednesday. Only 168 students cast
votes in the constitutional election, with 157 voting in favor of the new document, which well surpassed the majority vote required for ratification. The vote totals represented less than 4 percent of the student body, but Melanie Booker, vice president of SA, said elections that focus on a document rather than candidates often produce a smaller turnout. “I am glad that 168 people felt it was important enough
to cast a ballot,” Booker said. The new constitution must be put into effect within 10 days of ratification, and Congress likely will have it in place by Wednesday’s SA meeting so it can debate and potentially vote on new bylaws to correspond with the new document. The new constitution makes several changes that affect student representation on Congress. Two seats on Congress now will be available for off-campus residen-
Abilene Christian University
tial representatives. Although students living on campus have had residential representation on Congress, offcampus students previously were unrepresented in this area. The new constitution also removes the International Students Association liaison as a voting member of Congress — a move made because no other campus organization has specific voting privileges on Congress. E-mail Smith at: jvs02a@acu.edu
Serving the ACU community since 1912
Chapel Checkup Credited Chapels to date:
Friday, March 24, 2006
24
Calendar & Events Friday
Free movie: Chronicles of Narnia, 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m., Cullen Auditorium. Konstantin Campaign for City Council, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Campus Center.
25
Saturday
27
Monday
Soulforce film, 9 a.m.-10:45 p.m., Hilton Room. Soulforce informal dialogue, 3:30-5 p.m., Hilton Room. Soulforce Coffee-house discussion, Hart Auditorium. The Buckle Employment Recruiting, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Campus Center.
Chess Tournament, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Campus Center Living Room.
Shades show ticket sale, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Campus Center ticket windows.
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Weekend Campaigns, 11:30 a.m.-noon, Campus Center ticket windows.
Sunday
28
Tuesday
CAB Free Night Out at Third Rock Creamery ticket sale, 11:3011:45 a.m., Campus Center ticket windows.
29
Wednesday
Camp Lone Hollow information, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Campus Center.
About This Page The Optimist maintains this calendar for the ACU community to keep track of local social, academic and service opportunities. Groups may send announcements directly to optimist@acu.edu or to the Page 2 Editor, ACU Box 27892, Abilene, TX 79699.
To ensure that an item will appear on time, the announcement should be sent at least 10 days before. The Optimist may edit items for space and style. Corrections and clarifications of published news articles will be printed in this space in a timely manner.
Nothing scheduled.
Volunteer Opportunities Students can sign up to carry a flag in The Parade of Flags during Opening Assembly on August 28. The Opening Assembly of 2006 marks the 101st official opening of another fall semester at ACU. Current students and/or employees for the Fall 2006 semester who want to participate can contact the office of University Events at 674-2632 or send a message to UniversityEvents@acu. edu. Applicants must include name, e-mail address and which flag they prefer. Flags are assigned on firstcome basis. The City of Abilene Emergency Management needs 20 volunteers to act as victims in a simulated
airport crash for a city/county wide exercise 8 a.m.-noon April 5. A professional will add injuries to the volunteers with makeup, the fire departments will rescue them and transport them to the hospital and then back to ACU. Contact the director of emergency management by Wednesday to volunteer. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center. Day Nursery of Abilene needs volunteers to set up, prepare, serve and clean during its 14th annual Mexican Dinner fundraising event from noon until 10 p.m. Saturday. For more information, contact the Volunteer Service-Learning Center.
Taste of Abilene 2006 needs volunteers from 4:30-9:30 p.m. on April 4 at the Taylor County Expo Center. Volunteers will help with the set up at 4:30 p.m., assist participants during the event and help clean up afterwards. Volunteers will be able to sample food from the 20 booths of participating restaurants. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center in the Bean Sprout. Fannin Elementary School needs volunteers read a book to a class on April 7 anytime between 8:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.
Announcements Robin Roberts, co-host for ABC’s Good Morning America and former sportscaster for ESPN, will speak at 7 p.m. on April 8 at a dinner in Teague Special Events Center. The event is part of ACU’s Centennial Speaker Series. For more details or to buy tickets call 674-2622. Study Abroad is offering a
free iPod drawing for students that turn in an application for the fall semester of the Latin America Study Abroad Program. There are still spots available in both locations. The deadline is March 31. E-mail study_abroad@acu.edu for more information. The Grace Museum is partnering with ACU to produce
a state-of-the-art literature/ podcast collaboration titled “Works on Paper: A Creative Writing LitCast.” The collaboration is a 12-part series written by the Advanced Creative Writing class based on the painting “The News” by Jack Bookbinder. Students access the works online at www. thegracemuseum.org/musecast.
The Volunteer Center has received a request for drivers and babysitters for a family from Burundi currently living in Abilene. Students who can periodically help in either of these areas can contact Susan Moellinger at abileneed@ capitalsenior.com or call at (325) 7931144. Abilene`s Christian radio station, KGNZ, needs volunteers to help enter data and answer phones during the Sharathon fundraiser any time between 6 a.m.-7 p.m. on Monday through Thursday. For more information contact the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center.
Credited Chapels remaining:
38 30
Police Log (edited for space) March 13 1:30 p.m. Skateboarders at business lot, contacted and advised to leave March 14 noon Checked on vehicles in McKinzie lot for contractor 1:40 p.m. Burglary report at Gardner Hall, case #96-039 5:50 p.m. Assisted vehicle making delivery or food service at Campus Center 10 p.m. Assisted Abilene PD with traffic stop at 1600 Campus Court, reference to damage from water balloons March 15 2:16 a.m. Incomplete open line at 1420 Cedar Crest, emergency station, upon arrival line had disconnected and no one was located 3:15 a.m. Assisted Abilene PD on burglary in progress at Allsups on Judge Ely Boulevard. 5:45 a.m. Assisted on vehicle accident at Wal-Mart. March 16 12:50 a.m. Assisted Abilene PD with disturbance at Holiday Inn 3:11 a.m. Checked welfare on female at 2300 Campus Court upon request of Abilene PD, she was OK 9:40 a.m. Checked Allen Farm in reference to illegal trash dumping 4 p.m. Report of skateboarders behind the Campus Center, unable to locate 4:45 p.m. Vehicle accident in Gardner lot, case #06-040 March 17 1:25 a.m. Report of suspicious subject in white Mustang at Holiday Inn, checked area unable to locate
1:42 a.m. Assisted Abilene PD with traffic stop at North 10th Street & Treadaway Boulevard, driver was arrested for driving while license suspended and passenger for possession of marijuana 3:10 a.m. Assisted Abilene PD on traffic stop at East North 10th Street & Stevenson Street 4:01 a.m. Assisted Abilene PD with traffic stop at 700 E.N. 10th St. 11:42 p.m. WFF reported door open at Campus Center kitchen area, checked and secured building March 18 2:18 a.m. Assisted Abilene PD with traffic stop at West Lake & Ambler 3:49 a.m. Assisted Abilene PD with disturbance at Griffith Road & E.N. 10th Street, citizen mistook paper thrower for suspicious subject, all OK 8:20 a.m. Unlocked Barret for contractors 2 p.m. Assisted Abilene PD with major vehicle accident at East North 16th Street & Judge Ely Boulevard 9 p.m. Parking violation at Mabee lot March 19 1:07 a.m. Escort from Barret to Nelson Hall 9:51 a.m. Medical emergency at Christian Village 12:50 p.m. Theft at Moody Coliseum, case #06-042 4 p.m. Report of vehicle mudding in field at Ambler Boulevard & Roundtree Street, unable to locate 4:41 p.m. Report of subjects playing ball inside Moody Coliseum, unable to locate
Friday, March 24, 2006
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CAMPUS NEWS
Opening delayed for Commons n Despite appearances that the Learning Commons construction is complete, directors of the library ask students to refrain entering until the opening date. By DANI LINTHICUM Opinion Editor
EMERALD Mc Gowan/Staff Photographer
JoEllis McCall, class of 1981 and Charlie Hejl, class of 1974, remove a window treatment from the dining room of a house during spring break.
Wildcats perform spring break service n More than 1,500 alumni and people affiliated with the university participated in 100 service projects during spring break as part of the Centennial celebration. By DANNY GAMBERO Student Reporter
During spring break, ACU faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends participated in worldwide service projects, which the university called Wildcat Week of Service. ACU asked people interested to participate in different service projects around their hometowns. The event wasn’t just in Abilene though. The tagline for the Wildcat Week of Service was “One Hour. One Day.
One Mission.” More than 80 projects were registered, but there are reports of many more, said Betsey Craig, coordinator of the Alumni Network in an e-mail. “We ended up with more than 100 projects, and they’re still trickling in this week,” Craig said. An estimated 1,500 people helped out in different cities, states and even countries. On the Web site for the Wildcat Week, Alumni Relations lists the names of everyone who helped. Most of the volunteers were alumni or related to alumni in some way or another. “It’s been amazing to see the variety of volunteer services that our alumni provide in their hometowns and communities,”
Craig said. The President’s Council for the Centennial came up with the idea, which was to do something service-related to celebrate the Centennial and ACU’s mission for Christian service and leadership throughout the world. The project was a one-time event because of the Centennial, but the feedback was so good that they “might consider doing it again,” Craig said. “[The service project] worked out better than we anticipated,” she said. “We put some project ideas out there, which spurred people to start thinking of their own things they could do.” The Web site, www.acu.edu/ centennial/wildcat_week_of_ service, gives a page of testimo-
nials, and anyone who participated can write about their own experiences and projects. “I’ve enjoyed corresponding with many of them and enjoyed hearing their excited comments about their projects and the positive way people pulled together to accomplish some good things,” Craig said. Marjon Zabihi, class of 2004 made arts and crafts projects with patients at the Texas Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital. “Our project was great!” Zabihi wrote on the Web site. “We had about 20 kids come and go and they had a blast! … It was such a good reminder of ACU days. I think some of us are going to try to continue it E-mail Gambero at: optimist@acu.edu
Because of delays in receiving necessary equipment, the Library Learning Commons opening is postponed until April 12. George Saltsman, director, both of educational technology and the Learning Commons, said he agreed with the request for the delay. “I used the analogy that this is a little like launching a space shuttle,” Saltsman said. “If any one of the partners can’t give us the thumbs up, the rest will wait until such a time that we are all ready.” Mark McCallon, assistant director for the library, said some unexpected delays in the delivery of some necessary equipment and furniture caused the problem. “This has nothing to do with funding,” McCallon said. “Mostly, things just didn’t come in the way they were supposed to.” Also, the delay is giving time and more opportunities for the hiring and training of foodservice employees, as well as the creation of signage directing people
to the resources they need within the library, McCallon said. McCallon said the library staff is excited about the Learning Commons opening, but the biggest problem with the postponement so far has been the “security issue.” “Everything in the Learning Commons looks ready, so it’s very tempting to students to go in there,” McCallon said. “However, we really need students to stay out until it’s officially open.” Students still need to use the main entrance and exit, rather then the one attached to the Learning Commons, McCallon said. Saltsman said he is disappointed that the Learning Commons missed the first deadline, but he is fully supportive on the decision to postpone the opening until April. “I know the students are inconvenienced with the delay and that the construction has blocked off many of the convenient routes, and making students live with that inconvenience for a few more weeks was hard to live with,” Saltsman said. “We just were not ready for several reasons and we needed more time so that all the elements of the Learning Commons were functional.” E-mail Linthicum at: del01a@acu.edu
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March 24, 2006 Box Office
Figures for the weekend of March 17-19, in millions. Total grosses in parentheses. 1. V for Vendetta — $25.6 (new) 2. Failure to Launch — $15.6 ($48.3) 3. The Shaggy Dog — $13.4 ($35.6) 4. She’s The Man— $10.7 (new) 5. The Hills Have Eyes — $8 ($28.7) 6. 16 Blocks— $4.8 ($30.2) 7. Eight Below — $4.1 ($73) 8. Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion — $2.9 ($60) 9. Pink Panther — $2.5 ($78.6) 10. Aquamarine— $2.1 ($15.8)
Today’s Movies Inside Man (R) — starring Clive Owen, Denzel Washington, Jodie Foster; directed by Spike Lee. What begins as an airtight bank heist turns into a large-scale standoff between the robbers’ ringleader Dalton Russell (Owen) and NYPD hostage negotiator Keith Frazier (Washington). Stay Alive (PG-13) — starring Frankie Muniz, Samaire Armstrong; directed by William Brent Bell. A group of teenagers play a realistic videogame and are soon brutally murdered one by one, depending on if their character in the games dies and how. A warm, fuzzy family film.
‘V’ for Victorious: adaptation proves insightful By DEE TRAVIS
Special Contributor
“Artists use lies to tell the truth; politicians use lies to cover it up.” On November 4, 1605, a terrorist named Guy Fawkes was discovered in the basement of the British Parliament with 2.5 tons of gunpowder, enough to destroy the building many times over. V for Vendetta begins here, with a history lesson. The story then cuts to a nottoo-distant future in which America has collapsed and Great Britain is under the rule of a Fascist dictatorship. The government enforces a curfew, takes away religious freedom and makes most great art (music, movies, paintings, etc.) illegal. The government uses the slogan, “Strength through unity; unity through faith.” When Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman) is caught roaming the streets after curfew by government officials and almost raped, a mysterious stranger wearing a mask of the notorious Fawkes rescues her. Known only as “V” (Hugo Weaving), this renegade makes a public announcement that in one year, on Nov. 5, he intends to carry out the unfinished work of Fawkes by destroying both houses of Parliament. The film takes place during the course of that year, which V spends violently getting back at those in power who have wronged his country. Based on a graphic novel by Alan Moore, the film has more in common with comic book adaptations like Road to Perdition and A History of Violence than it does with typical superhero fare. In
Overview V for Vendetta PPP 1/2 Rated: R (for strong violence and language) Starring: Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Stephen Rea Directed by: James McTeigue Release Date: March 17
fact, V is no superhero; he’s a terrorist ... or is he a revolutionary? Both, I suppose; it’s a fine line. Some have already spoken out against V for Vendetta, calling it an endorsement of terrorism, but this film doesn’t suggest that violent revolution should be used against the British government of today. The film is a bold reminder of how a powerful government can, in the name of freedom, scare people into giving their freedoms away. The film makes multiple allusions to Nazism, but also implies that America’s “War on Terror” could lead to dangerous infringements on freedom. While trying to analyze V’s plan of action, a government official says, “He’s a terrorist; we can’t expect him to act like you or me.” When people begin to dehumanize terrorists, they fall victim to the same illogic used by the terrorists themselves. The all-powerful, tyrannical government greatly resembles other futuris-
Photo courtesy of www.rottentomatoes.com
Evey Hammond (Natalie Portman) works for a television station in a futuristic, totalitarian London in V for Vendetta. tic stories, such as George Orwell’s 1984 or Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451. What this film does well is make the future seem immediate; it gives enough allusions to modern situations that we feel as though this could all transpire within our lifetime. That’s not to say that it all seems realistic; many scenes lack believability. The film succeeds, however, not because all that transpires seems real but because the ideas and emotions are real. V for Vendetta oozes with style, which comes as no surprise seeing as how the Wachowski Brothers (creators of The Matrix trilogy) wrote the script and produced the film, and the director, James McTeigue, was an assistant-director on all three Matrix films. V for Vendetta is simultaneously a political thriller, a science
fiction story and an action film. Some will criticize the film for stretching itself too thin, but it succeeds in all three genres. As for the script, some fans of the graphic novel have criticized it for straying from the original source material. In the graphic novel, Evey Hammond is a prostitute; in the film, she works for a television station. Unlike the film, the novel contains no romance between Evey and V, and some of the other characters in the film have been reworked as well. The film does retain the spirit of the original, though, and much of the film’s dialogue is adapted directly from the graphic novel — lines and images so poignant they will stay with you long after the credits roll. V for Vendetta is violent and disturbing at times. Some will undoubtedly see
it as dangerous and continue to discredit it, but I think that’s fitting. The story and its ideas are smart, confusing, interesting and engaging, and I hope this film causes people to think about what political freedom really means to them. V’s plan to destroy Parliament isn’t about a building, after all — it’s about a symbol. Depending on how it’s used, a symbol can inspire fear or hope. One of the best decisions in the film is to never show us V’s face; he tells Evey that the face behind his Guy Fawkes mask isn’t his true self, any more than the muscles beneath his face. “Behind this mask is an idea,” he says, “and ideas are bulletproof.”
E-mail Travis at: dxt02a2a@acu.edu
Friday, March 24, 2006
Dinner demonstrates etiquette n Students in Free Enterprise, an organization focused on educating people about the business world, will host the dinner and is in search of new members. By MICHELLE JIMINEZ Student Reporter
The Students in Free Enterprise will conduct its annual Etiquette Dinner and Fashion Show at 7:30 p.m. Friday. A maximum of 100 people can to attend because of limited seating in the Hilton Room. Tickets cost $15, or students have the option of using two meal plans. Tickets will be sold in the Campus Center ticket windows from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5:306:30 p.m. Friday. The dinner will feature a prominent businessperson
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CAMPUS NEWS
from the community who will talk to attendees about business etiquette. Topics will include information about how to behave on a business dinner with clients or the boss, said Ashley Martindale, freshman accounting major from Keller. “It’s a really good opportunity to listen to a business perspective from someone in the business world,” Martindale said. She offered another reason for students to attend the dinner. “Boys can learn how to act on dates; they don’t want spaghetti getting all over their clothes,” Martindale said. The dinner will also feature a fashion show with five male and five female students modeling clothes loaned to the students by Dillard’s department store.
We’re all smiles
Each model will wear two outfits, displaying the range of clothes appropriate in a workplace. The men will display suits or coats and ties, while the women wear skirts or pantsuits and heels. “The money that it costs is the exact price of how much the etiquette dinner is going to be. There is no profit for us,” said Emilee Shwanke freshman accounting major from Arlington. SIFE is a student organization focused on educating people about the business world. Although SIFE deals with the business world, it is not limited to business majors, anyone can join. The group is currently looking for more members. emerald mcgowan/Staff Photographer
E-mail Jiminez at: optimist@acu.edu
Levi Bently, 4, sits on his father, John’s, lap and watches his mother, Lisa, speak during Chapel on Monday.
Ten spots open for England and Latin America fall Study Abroad n Bible, missions and ministry majors can now study abroad during the fall semester because special sections of their Greek classes are now offered. By AARON BALLARD Staff Writer
Positions are still available for those interested in participating in Study Abroad in the fall. Between five and 10 spots remain open at the Latin America and Oxford locations, and the deadline to sign up is March 31. “We expect both locations to fill up for the fall,” said Lauren Graham, Study Abroad coordinator, “because Bible majors just found out that they can study abroad without getting behind in their Greek courses.” Before, a Greek course was required in both the fall and spring semesters of a Bible,
missions and ministry major’s sophomore year. However, after much talk between the Bible, Missions and Ministry Department and the Study Abroad program, the Bible Department decided about a month ago to create special sections of the required Greek courses in the spring, so those wishing to study abroad in the fall could do so without falling behind. Representatives from the Study Abroad Program have spoken with Bible, missions and ministry majors about the change in several classes and through e-mail. “Now, the best time for a Bible major to study abroad is in the fall,” Graham said. This change should be enough to fill in the remaining spots for the fall, he said. The Oxford location has a capacity of about 35 students, while the Montevideo, Uruguay location
has a capacity of about 25 students. Generally, student interest is much greater for Oxford than Montevideo. For example, 36 students are in Oxford this semester, compared to only 13 in Montevideo. “I think that this is the case because students don’t know what to expect from Uruguay,” Graham said. “They are more hesitant to apply for it.” The Study Abroad Program
is doing several things to attract more people to Latin America. For instance, all Study Abroad advertising money currently goes toward Latin America. In addition, Graham always promotes Latin America whenever she gets a chance. “Since I’ve been to Uruguay twice, it is usually the first option I mention when I talk to U100 and Bible classes,” Graham said. Graham said Study Abroad
is worthwhile to students for a number of reasons. “It’s really a one-of-a-kind opportunity in your education,” Graham said. “You get a chance to visit a whole new place while living in a really small community. It’s cool to be studying and learning in a new culture instead of just traveling there.” Graham said she believes students are changed by their experiences during Study Abroad.
“I think students see themselves and God in a new way, once taken out of the Abilene environment, because they see the bigger picture,” Graham said. “Students often come back more confident and sociable thanks to the independence and freedom that can only be acquired through this experience.”
E-mail Ballard at: agb04b@acu.edu
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March 24, 2006
Soulforce offers a unique chance to learn The issue:
Soulforce’s arrival to campus Monday has produced mixed feelings among students, faculty and administrators, which, no matter the outcome of the visit, will be one of the best things to happen to the university in years. A university is an institution of higher learning whose members strive to study, research and learn about their society and world, from politics to art to economics to philosophy. By learning about different ideas, societies and belief systems, we ultimately learn more about ourselves and develop an educated worldview. The oncampus arrival of Soulforce, a group that espouses views different than the core views of this university, can contribute to the learning process of our community and help prepare
Soulforce Equality Ride is visiting campus Monday.
Our view:
ACU is here for us to learn and grow. That is the purpose of a university education.
The solution:
Students should take this opportunity to dialogue with Soulforce members and show Christ in their actions.
students for life of the university, said An “us versus them” mentality does outside of school. in a March 9 article in nothing to promote unity among our Christianity Today that As a private unifellow Christians versity, ACU can ACU is a university that prohibit the foris able to talk about all mation of various sides of issues and teach groups on campus or outside not forced to consider differing students how to respond. groups entering campus that opinions, potentially leaving us “One of the good things it demonstrate beliefs that are dif- ill prepared for a life where we has done was to make us realferent from those established will work and worship along- ize that we had not done a good by the university. Unlike most side others who disagree with job in informing our students state schools, our students do us. to deal with a variety of cultural not necessarily have to conWe can become sheltered, forces that they will face after front more secular worldviews assuming the secular world- college,” Money said. “So this and those who advocate them, views or the sin we see outside has encouraged us to do a betwhich is a blessing and a curse. of the community doesn’t occur ter job.” We come to private Christian within it, which is an egregious Money is right to allow Souluniversities to be in community error. An us-versus-them men- force on campus and the adminwith others who share our core tality does nothing to promote istration is to be commended values and beliefs, as well as unity among our fellow Chris- for welcoming the 34 Equality to experience a top-notch and tians and, ultimately, our fellow Ride members in the name of more personal education. How- human beings. We are no better Christ. Students should not fear ever, by forming our own com- than the members of Soulforce, this interaction but see it as an munities, we separate ourselves even though we disagree. opportunity to learn about diffrom the outside world and are Dr. Royce Money, president ferent cultural values and what
Three years is not a long did not wake up on September time to re-design a government, 10, 2001, and decide to murder overthrow a dictator and liber- U.S. citizens. We cannot expect ate a people. to rout such fanatical forces in M o n d a y Iraq in a short time, either. marked the All of the reasons that we inthird anniver- vaded Iraq are still valid, even if sary of the it has been three years. The war beginning of in Iraq is a key element in the the “Libera- war on terror, and it is our privtion of Iraq,” ilege to help those who cannot also known help themselves. A belief sysas the thing tem that is not strong enough that seems to to carry us through tough times Soapbox occupy every- is not much of one. Central body’s minds Do we really believe in huand a heck of man rights? Do we believe that Dani a lot of Holly- people should not live in fear Linthicum wood screen of their government, that chiltime. dren should have opportunity And so it should. War is not to go to school and that men something that we should ever and women should be treated enter into lightly, and a healthy with respect? The next logical examining of our motives and question is, if we believe that, the pros and cons of such an shouldn’t we have the courage endeavor is always a wise idea. to back it up? But statistics show a deEdmund Burke once said, cline in support for the war, “The only thing necessary for and most of it is the triumph of evil not linked to any is for good men real objections, but to do nothing.” Don’t get carto our spoiled outThankfully, as a ried away on look. We’re hungry, nation, we have not the winds of hot and tired, and often fallen into doubt without we wanna go home. that trap of wallowexamining the Many of those who ing in our comfort supported the war rather then lending reality of the in 2002, and who a helping hand, but situation. agreed with fighting it seems that many terror in the world, people would like are now tired of the us to start in Iraq. war, and think that it should all The irony is that those who be over by now. are most affected by the war, Most of us don’t know the our courageous volunteers of first thing about suffering. We the military and their families, want our conveniences and we are overwhelmingly supportive want them now, and we whine of the war, and are rightfully when gas prices go up or when proud of what we have accomour government is not as quick plished in Iraq. as we would like to answer to You don’t have to agree with our wants and needs. the war, or love President Bush’s Government management policies. And if you don’t agree, of Katrina may have been frus- you don’t even have to stay sitrating, but it is a mere hiccup lent. Part of what makes the compared to the horrors that United States such a unique the Iraqi people have endured. and powerful force in the world While we complain about is our rights and the freedom mismanagement of funds and to speak our minds, making slowness of aid, their govern- things better in the process. ment was torturing and killing But don’t get carried away them. Big difference. on the winds of doubt without Sure, we can criticize our examining the reality of the sitgovernment. But wake up and uation. Watch news from more smell the human rights and than one source before making cushy lifestyle that we enjoy up your mind. here in the United States. Don’t assume three years is We are far too short-sighted. a long time. After all, it takes Three years is not a long time. four just to get a college degree. We are helping an entire coun- If you were on board with the try change its government. We war before, don’t give up just have overthrown a dictator, and because you’re tired of fighting. are still flushing out those who Our convictions and freedoms would harm the United States deserve better then that. and impede the progress of their own people. The men who planned the Sept. 11 attacks E-mail Linthicum at: del01a@acu.edu, plotted for years to do so. They optimist@acu.edu
Chapel mockery unkind and unfair To be perfectly honest, I never pay much attention in Chapel. I sing, I sit and read a novel most days. However, on Monday, I found myself being drawn into a heart-wrenching story about a sweet little boy. I laid my book aside, and watched the video about little Levi’s life, and could not stop the tears from streaming down my face. Levi is truly a miracle of God. It is amazing to me how God has used this little boy’s life to bless so many. When I saw that small 4-year-old boy get up on stage and saw the life and energy he had, I was encouraged and blessed in
will ever face in our lifetimes. I know that part of the reason I was so angered by this is because my mother, who passed away in 1998, also had a “little arm.” She was born without her right arm from just below the elbow. She endured so many heartaches, and yet, like Levi, was a blessing to many. Most of her life she was made fun of simply because she was different. I suppose I never will understand how someone can make fun of someone who is different, be it missing limbs, mental retardation, or other “abnormalities.” I don’t understand how anyone could watch that
Letter to the editor Student calls for appreciation of lessons learned in Chapel, not ridicule. so many ways. As we sang “Happy Birthday” to him, I found myself thinking what an amazing God we serve. However, in Chapel on Wednesday I was appalled by what was said about those mocking Levi. I was also quite angry that someone could make fun of such an amazing boy. Levi has been through more in his four years on this earth than many of us
video of little Levi laying in his ICU bed and not feel their heart breaking for him. I don’t understand how students attending a Christian University could look at Levi, a true miracle of God, and mock him. I admire little Levi more than I can express and admire that family for their courage. I am just sorry that some people mocked Levi, and hope that he doesn’t remember that when he is older.
Emily Rich sophomore sociology, criminal justice major from Waco
In Your Words
What’s your reaction to Soulforce’s visit? “I’m excited because it will be a blessing to show the love of Christ.”
“I hope people will be thoughtful rather then reactionary.”
“I don’t really care.”
Mark Clancy
Jon Noble
Hudson Kennedy
Bible graduate student from Houston
freshman accounting major from Belton
Bible graduate student from Roseville, Mich.
Editorial and letter policy Unsigned editorials are the opinions of the Optimist and may not necessarily reflect the views of the university or its administration. Signed columns, cartoons and letters are the opinions of their creators and may not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of the Optimist or the university. The Optimist encourages reader response through letters to the editor but reserves the right to limit frequent contributors or to refuse to print letters containing personal
attacks, obscenity, defamation, erroneous information or invasion of privacy. Please limit letters to 350 words or fewer. A name and phone number must be included for verification purposes. Phone numbers will not be published. Address letters to: ACU Box 27892 Abilene, TX 79699 E-mail letters to: optimist@acu.edu
E-mail the Optimist at: optimist@acu.edu
Perseverance needed at third anniversary
Cole Williams
Let Loose
it means to follow Christ with one’s actions. The call to ‘love others as Christ did’ is thrown about quite easily on campus, but all members of the community must realize that being like Christ means loving everyone: those who agree with us and those who don’t, those who are kind to us and those who aren’t, those who approach us and those we approach. Soulforce’s visit could prove to be a historic moment for the university, a day when students stopped to consider the lives and values of people different from them, learning what it means to love. Take this opportunity to do what is at the center of a university: learn.
Editorial and Management Board Jonathan Smith Editor in Chief
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Friday, March 24, 2006
Page 7
CAMPUS NEWS
Wildfires scorch students’ hometowns during break n Nearly 1 million acres of the Panhandle, including pastures, home and towns, were ravaged during spring break by the largest wildfires in Texas history. By SHERRI SNYDER Student Reporter
Eleven people dead. Nine firefighters injured. About 10,000 head of cattle burned alive. Nearly 1 million acres of the Panhandle ravaged by the largest wildfires in Texas history. From March 12 to March
19, hundreds of blazes consumed the Panhandle, scorching an area equivalent to about 325,280 football fields. Firefighters fought the fires for a week until Mother Nature took charge with rain and snow. For some students, the fires that roared through the Texas Plains during spring break hit close to home. Almost too close for Stephanie May, junior elementary education major. The flames came within 100 yards of her home in Fritch.
May didn’t see the fires but traveled home earlier this week and witnessed the damage they left behind. “It was insane,” she said. “I’ve seen fires before, but nothing like this,” she said. A.J. Smith, senior political science major from Pampa, was traveling for spring break when his mother called and told him about the fires and that officials were evacuating their subdivision. When his mom asked what he wanted out of the
house, Smith said he was more concerned that his family and people in the community were safe. “I just wanted to make sure no one was at the house—I didn’t really need anything, I was just worried about people,” he said. Smith’s parents were also traveling when they received a call much like the one they placed to their son. Neighbors and friends told the Smiths about the fire, asked what they could save from the house and
Snakes alive
moved the Smiths’ pets and vehicles to safety. David Smith, A.J. Smith’s father, said he can see the burned out area where the blackened grass ends only 300 yards from his front porch. While his home was spared, he said many people in surrounding communities lost their homes and were without electricity and water. David Smith said the fires are proof that good can come out of any situation. “Any kind of disaster
By KENNY McENTIRE Student Reporter
RACHEL LAU/Contributing Photographer
Crowds watch as snake handlers gut and skin rattlesnakes March 16 at the World’s Largest Rattlesnake Roundup in Sweetwater. An estimated 30,000 people attended the three-day event that featured more than 30,000 pounds of rattlesnake.
n ACU will play host to a Bible Bowl at which more than 300 people from 6th grade to adults will be tested on their knowledge of Joshua, Judges and Ruth. By MEGAN LOWE Student Reporter
More than 300 people, ranging in age from younger than 6th grade through adults, from Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado, will test their knowledge at ACU’s annual Bible Bowl on April 1. In its 21st year, the Bowl is a six-section test covering certain books of the Bible, lasting for as long as three hours. This year’s books are Joshua, Judges and Ruth. The top three high school seniors participating will have the chance to win scholarships to ACU. The highest scorer will win $1,000. The top three teams will receive plaques noting their achievements at this year’s Bible Bowl.
Colleen Blasingame, Bible Bowl coordinator, said the bowl is a good program to encourage the study of the Bible. Sponsored by the Office of Admissions, the Bible Bowl is a good way to encourage students to come to ACU, Blasingame said. “We have students come to school here after participating in the Bible Bowl; it is a chance for them to see the campus,” Blasingame said. Robert Forkner, a team coach, has been coaching teams for the Bible Bowl for six years. Forkner begins preparing his team, which consists of 10-12 people ranging from sixth to- ninth grades, in September with highlighted copies of the books of the Bible they will be tested over. Meeting every Sunday to practice, Forkner said he makes sure the kids know the material well first. “Before we begin memoriz-
ing, I want the kids to know how the material relates to their lives and why it’s important to them,” Forkner said. After that, Forkner spends his team meetings helping the kids memorize the material. They must know everything from how many times a word appears in certain verses to the characters in each chapter, Forkner said. Forkner’s team will represent Oldham Lane Church of Christ. “It is a great opportunity for the kids to form relationships with other kids in the body of Christ,” Forkner said. The cost to participate is $12 per person, which includes lunch on campus at the Bean. The Bible Bowl will begin on Friday evening with registration and Saturday at 8 a.m. with a 30-minute devotional followed by the testing in Teague Special Events Center. E-mail Lowe at: optimist@acu.edu
E-mail Snyder at: optimist@acu.edu
Yale professor plans to speak about civility n Stephen Carter will be the fifth speaker in the Centennial Speaker Series, a series of professionals who speak to the community about their profession and faith.
Bible knowledge to be tested April 1
brings the community together,” he said. “You have to rely on one another.” May said the situation is depressing, but the communities of northwest Texas will be fine. “The cool thing about the Texas Panhandle is that it’s all small towns, so they help each other,” she said. “People pull together.”
Stephen L. Carter, professor of law at Yale University, will speak on campus March 31 in the Teague Special Events Center as a part of the Centennial Speaker Series. Carter is the fifth in a series of eight professionals scheduled to talk to the ACU community as part of the Centennial Speaker Series. He is an American law professor, columnist and novelist. Carter has worked as a professor at Yale since 1982, and is now the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law. Carter’s speech is called “Integrity, Civility and the Future of Democracy,” said Jennifer Ellison, Centennial Activities coordinator. “He will speak for 30 to 45 minutes, then there will be a question-and-answer period,” Ellison said. “Then after that, there will be a
book signing.” Carter has had eight books published since 1991, including one titled Integrity and one called Civility. Growing up in New York, Carter graduated from Ithaca High School in 1972. Carter began his writing with an essay he wrote called “The Best Black,” which focused on his experiences in New York. After attending Stanford University for his undergraduate. and Yale for his law degree, and just seven years after graduating high school, Carter became the law clerk for Judge Spottswood W. Robinson, who was on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. After his work with Robinson, he began working for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Nancy Shankle, chair of the English Department, and Mel Hailey, chair of the Political Science Department, recruited Stephen Carter to speak at ACU, Ellison said. Tickets still are available for $15 general admission and $10 for students.
E-mail McEntire at: optimist@acu.edu
Page 8
Friday, March 24, 2006
FROM THE FRONT PAGE
Bike: GSP members ride to California to raise money Continued from page 1 13 after rotating cyclists continually throughout the trip. After arriving, the men stayed at Pepperdine University, toured Southern California, and one member even appeared as a contestant on the Price is Right.
The Routine Five hours after the men left Abilene, they rode through Brownsfield, a town only 100 miles from their origin. Justin Scott, senior political science major from Whitehouse, said their on-schedule arrival in Brownsfield showed the group how long and daunting its trip would be. “We realized we couldn’t worry about the big, big picture,” he said. “We had to get through each 10-mile shift.” Scott said the time it took each cyclist to ride his 10 miles varied depending on the wind, weather conditions and traffic. The cyclist would ride behind a truck driven by club members, which cut down on wind resistance, allowing some riders to reach pretty high speeds, Scott said. Toward the end of each 10-mile shift, the car in
the back would speed up to the end mark, and the next cyclist would be ready to ride as soon as the previous rider reached him. Scott said the group’s average speed was about 25 mile per hour. “It was strange to go 25 mph down the highway,” Scott said. “It was oddly soothing.” Blake Browder, sophomore elementary education major from Denton, said he also enjoyed the slow-paced trip. “We really got to bond with the guys a lot,” Browder said. “You’re going 20 mph all the way to California — you’re stuck together for a long time.”
than we all expected,” Griffith said. “But we knew the real reason we were doing it.” The “real reason” was fourth-grader Matt Phillips. Matt has type 3 Osteogenesis Imperfecta, which means his
and family sponsors for their trip, asked other social clubs for contributions and took donations from students, Griffith said. As of Wednesday the club had raised about $8,500, which it will send to the foun-
The Reason The 20 men were divided into two groups, allowing half to drive ahead to eat, sleep and relax, while the other half caught up on the bike. The men braved the desert, the mountains and rush-hour traffic during their trek. In eastern California in early morning hours of March 13, the group had to cross 6,000foot mountains with five to six inches of snow on them, said Cole Griffith, senior accounting major from Nashville, Tenn. “I think it was a lot harder
Photo courtesy of Mason Orr
Blake Browder, sophomore interdisciplinary major from Denton, prepares for his leg of Gamma Sigma Phi’s bike ride for OIF during spring break. bones fracture easily, and he is short in stature. Matt gets around in a wheelchair and receives help from a service dog. He also inspired the men of GSP to make the bike ride to California for the OI Foundation for research of the disease. The men found business
dation in honor of Matt. The young boy skipped school to see the men off from campus, talking with them and taking pictures. He also called them throughout the trip, which Griffith said kept the men motivated during the difficult stretches.
The Results Once the men arrived at their destination, they hoped to help Matt by spreading the word about OI by becoming contestants on The Price is Right — a goal they achieved. Browder got the chance to “come on down” on The Price is Right on March 15. “It was just so much fun.” Browder said. “I just wasn’t thinking straight.” Browder won a washer and dryer set by bidding on the items from Bid Row, where he looked to his club brothers for input. “I put 68 at the end because that’s the year GSP was founded,” Browder said. “And I just turned around and looked at the guys for the first numbers.” After reaching the stage for the fifth game, Browder was able to tell Barker about the group’s trip and the fundraiser. On air, Barker mentioned the bike trip, Browder said, but not the OI Foundation. Although Browder missed winning a new car by one number, he said he had a lot of fun. The show will air at 10 a.m. March 31 on CBS.
“It was crazy,” he said. Crazy is word many club members used to describe the trip, especially riding up the Pacific Coast Highway in rush hour traffic. “We did think about it and try to make it as safe as possible,” Scott said. “Everybody could tell we were doing something out of the ordinary.” The group did get pulled over by the police once in California because club members were riding in the back of a pickup truck, but the police officer just told them to all find seatbelts and be safe, Scott said. In addition to stiff joints and sore muscles, only one cyclist received minor injuries. While in New Mexico, he ran into the back of the front car and fell of his bike. But, after a quick stop at a hospital to check on scrapes and bruises, the rider was fine. Griffith said although the trip proved to be difficult, he would do it again in a second. “We accomplished spreading the word,” he said. “And it was one of the most personally satisfying experience I’ve ever had.” E-mail Schneider at: jrs02a@acu.edu
DT: After six months, club reactivated and ready for pledging and I suggested that the pledging process needed to change.” He said that women who want to pledge always comment on how Delta Theta has the best tea of all the social clubs because they are fun and encourage real relationships with potential Biddies. He said what happened between the tea and when pledging began often gave the women whiplash because of the drastic change in attitude. “They needed to take a look at pledging because I don’t think it fulfilled the purpose of the club,” he said. After researching the history of the club and talking with alumni, the women of
Delta Theta have learned where they came from and see where they are going. “The self-study was a really difficult process for us because we had to go to the roots of the club and dig for our history and background,” said Lindsey Jessup, DT president and senior human communication studies major from Bakersfield, Calif. “The process was time-consuming but we learned how to make ourselves a better club.” The self-study is a required step for all clubs put on probation or suspension, and one that should be required of all clubs, Barnard said. “For any club with problems,
it’s important to look and see what happened and how they got there,” he said. “You have to get past the emotions and look at yourself and who you really are; it’s the first stepping stone for a new direction.” Barnard’s announcement came as no surprise to Jessup, although she said the atmosphere in the room where the club met changed as soon as Barnard announced they were activated again. “Personally, I think there is a huge internal difference,” Jessup said. “We are a lot closer and our friendship bonds have been strengthened. Our club as a whole is stronger and people are going to notice that our at-
titudes have changed, too.” An attitude change makes all the difference, Barnard said. “People may think behaviors need to change, but I believe that changes can’t occur unless it occurs in your thinking and how you approach things,” Barnard said. DT’s reactivation comes just in time for spring rushes and formal. Spring rushes begin April 17, and Jessup said members are busy planning rushes, events and skits for the upcoming events. They are also finishing their service projects, which include adopting a highway in Abilene and painting murals in the pediat-
ric ward of Abilene Regional Medical Center and planning their formal for April 22, an event supported emotionally and financially by Barnard. “I am financially supporting their formal because I think it is important for them to bond,” he said. “Because of their deactivation, money has not been raised and dues have not been paid; so I want to make sure it happens for them and let them know, ‘I believe in you, and I’m glad your back.’” He said with DT’s reactivation he hopes that the women interested in pledging look at DT with the other clubs. “My fear is that because of their suspension that women
won’t want to give them a chance,” he said. “They know who they are and they know what their purpose as a club is. They are strong and women need to give them a fair shot.” A shot is what Jessup hopes for, too. “People are going to see us more active on campus and big things are going to happen,” she said. “When women pledge with us they are going to see a strong bond among us, and they’ll want to be involved. I bet in the future we’ll be a large club on campus again.”
E-mail Sherwood at: mes02e@acu.edu
Friday, March 24, 2006
Page 9
FROM THE FRONT PAGE
Soulforce: Administrators expect peaceful visit Continued from page 1 made at these schools when Equality Ride members have set foot on campus property anyway. Lee and Oklahoma Baptist universities allowed the group on campus and to talk to students but did not schedule forums or activities with the group. Activities on the ACU campus include several invitation-only sessions with select groups of students, administrators, faculty and staff. Members of Equality Ride also will meet with several classes, particularly graduate-level courses. Members of the campus will have the opportunity to attend three open forums Monday: • From 9-10:45 a.m. in the Hilton Room of the Campus Center, members of Soulforce will show a multimedia presentation documenting the history of violence toward groups that have suffered discriminated and university representatives will respond to and discuss the presentation with them. • From 3:30-5 p.m. in the Hilton Room, students, faculty and staff can meet informally with members of Equality Ride for discussions. • From 7-8:30 p.m. in Hart Auditorium, students can attend a discussion on how sexuality is portrayed in the media. Whether the events are invitation-only or open forums, Money said all activities Sunday and Monday are for members of the ACU community
only because they are meant as internal discussions with Equality Riders.
Anticipation rises Although those watching Equality Ride’s other visits to universities have been able to see the group’s willingness to risk arrest and participate in civil disobedience by trespassing on the campuses that have not cooperated, Money said the circumstances involving the group’s visit here are different. “I don’t Barnard know that the stops that are ahead of us are any reliable indicator of what to expect here,” Money said. Because the university has cooperated openly with Equality Ride, Dr. Michelle Morris, vice president for university relations and the university’s contact person with Soulforce, said the group has promised it will not engage in civil disobedience while here. “That’s been a clear message from them,” Morris said. “ACU has been cooperative; we’re going to have peaceful talks.” Morris said working with the group has been very easy. “Phone conversations and emails have been courteous and respectful,” Morris said. “They have made requests, not demands.”
The university’s cooperation also has impressed members of Equality Ride. “ACU has reached out to us in a tremendous way, and we are excited about that,” Reitan said. To better prepare and inform students about the visit, Dr. Wayne Barnard, dean of Campus Life, spoke to students in Chapel on Thursday to give information about the visit and answer students’ questions. Those questions ranged from logistics about Equality Ride’s visit to ways to react in different situations during the visit. Barnard answered these questions and also talked about expectations of the students during the visit, particularly about how they respond to members of the group. “We are providing for peaceful dialogue,” Barnard said. “Any other form of communication is not appropriate. Signage and posters are not appropriate.” In an earlier interview, Barnard said students need to be conscious of how they respond to members of Equality Ride. “How we talk about it is equally important as talking about it,” Barnard said. “If people want to express their beliefs, they need to do it as Christians.”
Differing opinions Differences of opinions among those on campus and members of Soulforce likely will arise from their biblical in-
terpretations regarding homosexuality and the university’s policy. Money said the university treats heterosexual and homosexual activity outside of marriage as the same: sexual immorality. The university’s student guide lists sexual immorality as a Section 2 violation, which can result in at least probation and potentially suspension or dismissal from the university. However, the university does not ban students who identify themselves as homosexual or struggle with same-sex attraction. Money said the Bible says the only legitimate sexual expression is between a man and a woman in marriage, a premise Reitan finds discriminatory. “The policy [at ACU] is unfair because homosexuals don’t have the Money ability to date, fall in love and get married,” Reitan said. “Gay people can’t.” Reitan said the group decided to visit ACU “because we saw it as a school that could benefit from our presence.” University administrators said they see this visit as an opportunity to model Jesus to the Equality Riders by peacefully talking with the group but presenting a strong stance against homosexuality. “[Jesus] was compassion-
ate, loving and kind, but he was firm with what is right,” Barnard said. “I think we’re approaching this in a very biblical way.”
Clearing up misconceptions After hearing reactions and criticisms from alumni and others connected to the university, administrators said the university’s approach and acceptance of Soulforce’s visit to campus has caused misconceptions. “People assume that mere conversations with Soulforce mean we are abdicating a historically held view on morality. Nothing could be further from the truth,” Money said. “It’s been a sobering reminder to me that it’s easier to condemn and avoid than encounter and be a Christian witness.” Money said this visit does not indicate a change in the university’s stance or policy about homosexuality, and Barnard said the visit allows the campus community to strengthen its views that differ from Soulforce members. “Having my beliefs sharpened by counter beliefs has been good,” Barnard said. “My beliefs haven’t always changed; they’ve been sharpened.” Administrators also pointed out that the university did not initiate contact with Equality Ride or make the initial invitation to visit. Members of Equality Ride initially contacted the university saying they planned to visit the school and hoped administrators would work
with them to organize forums and activities. At that point, Money said the university had two choices: resist or engage in conversation. Money also said the decision to pay for the group’s hotel rooms came after he heard students were contacting Equality Ride to offer their homes for riders. Money said he thought it would be better for all involved if the university offered an alternative. Money said funds for the rooms came from privately donated money. Money said he hopes people take the time to find out accurate information about the visit and the university’s stance. “When the critics are furnished with reliable and accurate information, those against have become supporters or at least tolerant of our stance,” Money said. Regardless of if they agree or disagree with the university’s position, Money said he asks all to be in prayer for the university and the visit. “The true character of an institution is shown in the way it faces certain challenges, and this visit is such a challenge,” Money said. “Therefore, it is important we conduct ourselves in a Christ-like manner in what we do and say — and I think we will.” Denton Josey contributed to this report.
E-mail Smith at: jvs02a@acu.edu
Visits: First stops disappoint Students: Opinion varies Continued from page 1 achieve nationwide dedication to discussion about the suffering of GLBT people in an honest and open format,” Herrin said. “We’ve had sincere conversation with students at all the universities regardless of the school’s attitude toward us.” Herrin said the group is looking forward to the visit to ACU. “I think we’ll have heartfelt discussion about the discrimination students feel on campus, in the churches and in society because of their lifestyle,” Herrin said. “We are going to look at Jesus’ teachings and how he loved everyone.”
Taking a stand Herrin said the visit at ACU will be different from the visits at other universities. “All the schools in some way have done their best to minimize our visible presence either by pushing us off campus, arresting us or restricting everything we do,” she said. “They are giving their students the message that this dialogue is not important and that they don’t want to deal with this conversation.” On the contrary, she said ACU has given the riders a warm welcome. “They have really rolled out the welcome mat for us,” she said. “Our visit at ACU will be an important step for America.” The planning for the tour began more than a year ago, when Jacob Reitan, co-director of Soulforce, decided the country needed more awareness of GLBT people. Herrin said Reitan met with
a closeted student at Wheaton College, where administrators were telling him he was sick and sinful, and he needed to choose between his faith and identity. She said Reitan knew the GLBT rights community was not proactive enough in the American community, especially youth GLBT, so he put the two together to create Soulforce’s Equality Ride.
Disappointing Visits Herrin said 220 universities in America ban the enrollment of GLBT students, and so it became a process of elimination to select the schools. She said they contacted the schools and waited for a response before deciding what their itinerary and schedule should look like. “After working with the schools a little bit, we had a general idea of how the visits would go,” she said. Twenty-four Equality Riders and several community members were arrested at Liberty University, which the group expected, Herrin said. Regent University rescinded its offer for the members to speak on campus a week before they arrived because of discrepancies on Soulforces’ Web site about policies and the schedule. In a letter sent to Reitan on March 7, Regent officials rescinded their offer because of false claims that the university has a “strident and antiGLBT policy,” which was not true, officials said. Despite knowledge that this statement wasn’t true, members of Soulforce didn’t change the facts on their Web site, creating a “media circus” for the univer-
sity, the letter stated. Three forum opportunities had also been planned but were rescinded when riders reported that Regent refused dialogue, despite their forum opportunities. Officials informed riders they were no longer welcome on campus nor would they be granted access, which resulted in six arrests. Herrin said members were surprised by the reaction at Lee University. “We had expected to go on campus and have good dialogue, but instead we were met on the bus when we arrived and told, ‘You can do this, this, this, this or this,’ which basically limited everything, and they wouldn’t compromise either.” Riders were shown to a far corner of the campus at Union University in Jackson, Tenn., and not allowed to interact with students publicly. She said members knew they weren’t welcome at Oral Roberts University, and eight members were arrested. “Success is when at the end of the day Soulforce Equality Riders and the school has embraced academic freedom and had sincere discussion on campus about GLBT students and their policies,” Herrin said. “Obviously that hasn’t happened yet at any of the schools, but I think we will find success at ACU.”
E-mail Sherwood at: mes02e@acu.edu
Continued from page 1 institutions along the Equality Ride route, which to him speaks a lot about the university. Kirksey said most of the talk he’s heard from other students has been negative, with many displeased that the university is allowing Soulforce members on campus. He said he’s heard from several students that their parents are upset with the university and have considered withholding financial donations because of the visit. Other students have joked about making T-shirts with inappropriate sayings on them to wear Monday, he said, delivering the message to Soulforce that they’re not welcome here. Kirksey said he is anxious to see what students’ reactions turn out to be, but also that he doesn’t think the visit on Monday will be as big of a deal as many think, and students will probably not be physically violent with the guests. He added that the reason for such hostility stems from most of the students’ backgrounds of being raised in the church, where the topic of homosexuality generally isn’t discussed. “It’s the hidden topic that everyone’s afraid to bring up,” Kirksey said. “There’s a huge ignorance about it. Instead of viewing it as an equal sin just as everything else, we’re judging it as a huge deal and
not accepting them.” Faith Brodie, freshman undeclared major from Salado, said she is glad ACU is allowing Soulforce to come to campus Monday and that when she first heard of the visit, she went to the group’s Web site to learn more about its purpose. By reading about the individual members of the Equality Ride and what brought them to Soulforce, she said she feels she knows more about the group and would encourage other students to visit the site, www. soulforce.org, as well. “I’m excited for us to be able to understand other things that are out there and gain information about the homosexual community,” Brodie said. She said she thinks many students are apprehensive about the visit because they think the Soulforce members will try to force their opinions on the students. Brodie said because the university agreed to allow them on campus, they opened the door for a peaceful visit and probably earned more respect from Soulforce members. The Soulforce visit is reminding students of the importance to get out of their comfort zones, meeting people where they’re at and talking to them no matter their background or lifestyle, Brodie said. Alaina Bearden, junior political science and English ma-
jor from Orange County, Calif., echoed Brodie’s sentiments about exposing students to various beliefs. “The more exposure now, the better,” Bearden said. As a resident assistant in Gardner Hall, Bearden said she’s had many discussions with her residents about the visit, with the women asking questions about the group’s intentions as well as looking forward to having something different on campus for a change. Tabers said he thinks the visit will be peaceful and that it is important for students to learn to control their emotions and actions when faced with differing opinions. “A lot of people need their eyes opened to less conservative views,” he said. Bearden said she hasn’t heard any negative comments and has been praying for a long time that nothing negative will happen. Hearing mainly positive feedback from her peers, she said she’s been amazed at the turnaround in people’s hearts toward the visit. “Fear and pent-up worrying can cause violent reactions in people … like a mob-mentality,” she said. “But, I hope our students can be mature and hold themselves to a higher standard.”
E-mail Carlson at: skc02a@acu.edu
Page 10
Friday, March 24, 2006
CAMPUS NEWS
Employers seek students for jobs n At least 13 companies seeking part-time, full-time employees and interns will interview students on campus throughout the spring semester. By TAKISHA KNIGHT Page 2 Editor
Employers from various companies will visit campus Wednesday until April 19 to interview students for hire. About 20 students will interview next week, along with about four students interviewing for one company. Some of the companies include accounting firms and retail companies like the Buckle. Some of the positions are open to all majors, though some are business or accounting major specific. During the spring semester, about 13 employers will conduct interviews on campus through the Office of Career and Academic Development’s program CareerLink. CareerLink is an online resource where students can search for jobs, apply for interviews, network within a directory of employer contacts and receive help with the job search process from the volunteering alumni. “There are internships as well as full-time opportunities for juniors or seniors as well as graduates,” said Bradon Tharp, OCAD employer relations specialist. Tharp recommends all students register with CareerLink. The site is the only place on campus where students can find internship and job postings, she said. “If you are an incoming freshman planning to have a part-time job while you’re in school, you should sign up for CareerLink right
Ping ponging the night away
On the Web www.acu.edu/careerlink
away,” she said. Tharp said CareerLink is a good place for freshmen and sophomores to find part-time jobs. Juniors can look for internship opportunities, and senior and graduate students can begin searching for permanent jobs. “I don’t know how else or where else they can get connected with 600 jobs, 1,700 employers and 800 alumni that are tied specifically to ACU,” she said. More than 600 job positions are currently posted on the site. The jobs are made available through alumni and employers who are familiar with the university. Since the program began nearly two years ago, it has helped students transition from college to the workforce with various services that aim to give students skills they will need to find suitable careers and obtain jobs. Some of the programs OCAD offer include résumébuilding, interviewing and CareerLink workshops for students. The next workshop will be from 2-3:30 p.m. April 10-11 in the Living Room of the Campus Center. Career and Academic Development Director Matt Boisvert and Cynthia Cooke will conduct sessions about how to use CareerLink, résumé preparation, interviewing skills and job searching. To learn more about CareerLink, visit acu.edu/careerlink.
E-mail Knight at: tnk03a@acu.edu
BRIAN SCHMIDT/Chief Photographer
Reyn King, freshman exercise science major from Abilene, plays ping pong in the lobby of Mabee Residence Hall on Thursday.
ACU Police extends jurisdiction
n ACU Police now can respond to calls in a one-mile radius around the campus, which made the university the first in the state to change campus jurisdiction. By JORDAN SORENSON Staff Writer
As of March 10, ACU became the only private university in the state to have its campus police share jurisdiction with a city police department, extending ACU Police Department’s influence to a mile radius around the campus. Previously, if a call was made to the Abilene Police Department from a residential area near campus, the ACU Police Department couldn’t respond. Like all municipal police departments, all calls must be prioritized to evaluate which ones need to be responded to first. Based on the severity of the caller’s situation, the circumstance could be categorized as low priority, not warranting a response until a free officer becomes available. Meanwhile, fully equipped and
certified officers stood by on ACU’s campus, minutes away from the call, bound by a state statute limiting the jurisdiction of a private university’s police force to go beyond the campus and all campus owned property. Abilene Police Chief Melvin Martin said the new system is breaking new ground in Texas. “There is no other city doing this right now,” Martin said. “So we are really thinking outside the box.” According to the official news release, ACU Police now have authority from North 10th Street to Cedar Creek to Griffith Road, Griffith Road to Interstate 20, Interstate 20 to Cedar Creek and back down Cedar Creek to North 10th Street. Jimmy Ellison, chief of ACU Police, was one of the key figures to spearhead the expansion of his department’s jurisdiction. “It’s what I call a win-win for everybody,” he said. “From the Abilene Police Department’s perspective, they’re very un-
derstaffed and a very busy police department. They’ve got to prioritize calls, so with an agreement like this in place, you can look at most of these streets that we now have in our jurisdiction, most of the calls coming in from these areas being very minor in nature: loud party, loud cars. But as it stands right now that call could be held for an hour on a busy night before an APD unit could get to it, when the reality is we’re sitting 100 feet away, not doing anything. “The benefit is we can help APD with certain types of calls. The citizens’ benefit because instead of waiting 45 minutes for a police car, one might be there in 30 seconds. The benefits for the students is a safer neighborhood, and the city gets the benefits of our resources,” Ellison said To be exempt from the state statute limiting a campus police’s jurisdiction to go beyond the school, an official document must be signed representing the mutual agreement between both police
departments and the city. On March 10, such a document was signed by Dr. Royce Money, president of the university, Ellison, Martin, City Manager Larry Gilley and Mayor Norm Archibald, officially instating the statute exemption. Although traffic enforcement will now be enforced along the roads surrounding ACU by campus officers, Ellison said the objective of the jurisdictional expansion only renders the enforcement as a secondary aspect. “No one’s going to like getting a ticket that they didn’t get last month, but I would rather the enforcement aspect of all this be a byproduct,” he said. “The goal of this agreement is to have a better presence in the neighborhoods, to create safer neighborhoods, quicker response times, and to solidify our working relationship with the city.”
E-mail Sorenson at: jss05a@acu.edu
SPORTS JUMPS
Friday, March 24, 2006
Page 11
Tennis: Teams play next at home Continued from page 12 State University 8-1. Last Wednesday, however, the women fell to the University of West Florida 8-1. West Florida is ranked third in the NCAA Division II national poll. ACU is ranked ninth. Two weeks ago, the Wildcat men defeated St. Mary’s University 8-1 in New Braunfels.
Then the men faced a hotly contested match against the second ranked team in the Division II Central Region — Midwestern State University. Four out of the six singles matches went to three sets. The match ended with ACU holding on to the first place spot in the Central Region with a 5-4 victory over Midwestern State. “We knew it was going to be
5-4,” player Juan Nunez said. “They’re our rivals. We were excited to play that match. Anybody could have won.” Last Monday, the Wildcats trounced Temple College 61 in College Station. But then the University of Texas A&M Aggies, who are ranked 22nd in the NCAA Division I national polls, downed ACU 7-0. And on Wednesday, the men
fell to the University of West Florida 6-3. This weekend, both the women’s and men’s teams will play in the ACU Wildcat Invitational. “It should be a fun match,” player Ryan Hudson said. “If we play well, then we should come out on top.” E-mail Freeman at: mxf04b@acu.edu
Softball: Wildcats to face TexAnns Continued from page 12 Austin, defeating St. Mary’s 50 and then Regis 4-0. “It was a really long weekend,” Smith said. “So we had to really keep our focus throughout and work hard as a team.” The Wildcats had the home field advantage against Angelo State in another double-header on the following Friday and defeated the Belles in both games. Both teams were scoreless until the fourth, when
Borgeson had her first single of the game. She went five for six at the plate for both games against Angelo State. Her second single that game came in the sixth inning accompanying Deel’s two-RBI double. The second game was another blowout, with the final score at 13-1 after five innings. ACU began strong, scoring six runs in the first inning, and the women didn’t let up, scoring another four in the third and three more runs
in the fourth. Borgeson homered to left field for three RBI in the first inning. Johnson hit a three-RBI home run in the final inning, immediately followed by another home run from Deel, also sent to left field, which finished the game successfully. Since Angelo State was chosen to win the South Division, the women had the motivation to get the job done. “We started out slow at the plate the first game and were
taking too many pitches,” Wilson said. “But, we capitalized on a throwing error by the Angelo State catcher to get things going in our direction. We had a great defensive day.” They play four games this weekend against Tarleton State in Stephenville. Their next home game is March 31 against Eastern New Mexico at 5 p.m.
E-mail Moore at: aem03e@acu.edu
Track: Team readies for outdoor season Continued from page 12 Jumpers Yevgen Pashchenko and Vladyslav Gorbenko also met expectations. Pashchenko, a senior, placed second in the triple jump with a leap of 51-7 ¾, while junior Gorbenko placed third in 517 ¼. Pashchenko also placed sixth in the long jump with a distance of 24-0 ¼. “Vlad and Yevgen came up with big points for us at a critical time,” Hood said. Other finishers on the men’s side included Marvin BienAime, who finished eighth in the 200-meter dash in 21.77, and Pride, who was sixth in the 400-meter dash in 48.26. Bien-Aime placed eighth in the 200-meter dash with a time of 21.77, while senior Montez Pride was sixth in the 400-meter dash in 48.26. Junior Angie Aguilar led the women’s team, winning her first national championship in the pole vault. Aguilar won the competition easily, tying a season-best clearance of 12-11 ½ before missing 131, which would have been a national indoor record. “She had some trouble at
her second height, but she made the right adjustments and came through like a champion does,” Hood said. “She had a couple of close attempts at the record height, but I think the emotion of the meet had worn her out.” Freshman Jessica Withrow jumpstarted Friday’s competition with a second-place tie and personal best in the high jump, clearing 5-7 ¾. “She got everyone’s motor running and led to a great first day of qualifying,” Hood said. Hood knew he would need big points from his middle-distance tandem of Olha Kryv’yak and Trina Cox, and they did not disappoint. Cox and Kryv’yak placed sixth and seventh in the mile, respectively, with times of 4:49.9 and 4:52.06. But the most impressive performance from the duo was a fourth- and fifth-place finish in the 5,000-meter run. Kryv’yak placed fourth in the event with a time of 16:44.8, followed by Cox in 16:48.49. “Ohla and Trina battled for every point they could earn,” Hood said. “They put in a lot of effort for the team and were a huge part of our finish-
ing place.” Kryv’yak and Cox also were key contributors to the performance of the women’s distance medley relay team, which placed third in 11:42.86. Kryv’yak ran a leg of 1200 meters, followed by Keva Wilkins in a 400-meter leg, followed by Denise Morgan in an 800meter leg, and concluding with Cox in a mile leg. Wilkins, a sophomore, had an impressive performance in the open 400-meter dash as well, placing fourth in 55.33. Other finishers for the women included junior Jessica Hunt, who placed eighth in the 200meter dash in 25.06; sophomore Shawna-Kaye Thompson, who placed ninth in the 60-meter hurdles in 8.85; and the 4x400-meter relay team, which placed third in 3:45.14. Hood said that though he was pleased with runner-up finishes, his teams a lesson away from the indoor national meet as it goes into the outdoor season. “I think both teams realize that we are capable of winning outdoors, but you don’t win championships with sixth-, seventh- and eighth-place fin-
ishes,” Hood said. “We have to have some people get a little better and be a little more competitive to be able to pull it off in May. I hope that the motivation of being champions and the sting of being so close indoors is motivation enough to make that happen.”
Going Outdoors The track and field teams will have their first chance to qualify for the outdoor national meet against Division I and II competition at Saturday’s Baylor Dr. Pepper Open in Waco. The meet, which will begin with field events at 9 a.m. and continue with running events at noon, will pit ACU against the Division I powerhouse Baylor Bears, along with TCU, Stephen F. Austin, North Texas, Trinity, UT-Arlington, and conference rivals Angelo State and Tarlton State. In total, ACU athletes will have up to ten chances to qualify for the NCAA Division II National Outdoor Championships, which will take place May 25-27 in Emporia, Kan. E-mail Holt at: smh00a@acu.edu
Pro day: Wildcats work out for pro scouts Continued from page 12 Myles is a relative sleeper among NFL scouts. He missed playing in the last games of the season because of injury, and is still recovering. Because of his pro day performance, he is now gaining attention. Myles said two teams are talking about playing him as a running back, but most say he will be a fullback. Still, others call him a “tweener,” a cross between a running back and a fullback. At 6-foot-2-inch-
es and around 220 pounds, Myles size and explosiveness make scouts question his projected position. For Farrell the future is not as certain. He has heard he could play defensive tackle or end or on the offensive line. He said a few Canadian Football League teams have shown interest, but his priority is still to play for an NFL team. “Even going out there and busting my butt on the practice squad would be great,” Farrell said. However, he will
have to wait until after the NFL Draft to know what teams want and what his chances are of being with an NFL team. Chase Fishback worked with a Jacksonville Jaguars special teams coach at the pro day. Fishback said his two options are with a CFL team or to attend graduate school at Texas Tech. The Ottawa team invited him to its final tryout in May, and has been invited to a try out with the Edmonton Eskimos, too. Robb Spells is drawing at-
tention from CFL teams as well. Like Myles and Farrell, Spells might attend a pro day at North Texas or Southern Methodist to gain more attention from scouts. Manning is currently ranked as the 92nd overall prospect in the draft on www.scout. com. The ranking projects him to be a third round pick, but analysts have said he could go anywhere between the second and fourth rounds. E-mail Fields at: jrf03b@acu.edu
brian schmidt/Chief Photographer
First baseman Alec Sowards swings around to tag out Texas-Permian Basin center fielder Adam Ethier in the third inning of the Wildcats 15-4 win Tuesday.
Baseball: Long streak of road games ahead Continued from page 12 hits and doubles. During the break the Wildcats extended their record, picking up wins over Southeastern Oklahoma State, Henderson State, Southwestern Oklahoma State and TexasPermian Basin. The Wildcats began their spring break in Oklahoma against the Southeastern Oklahoma State Savage Storm and picked up three wins against Southeastern Oklahoma after losing the first game 5-1. This loss was right-hander Ben Maynard’s first of the season. Behind another successful performance by sophomore Chris Wiman, the Wildcats overpowered the Savage Storm in the second game to win 8-1. Wiman, who leads the wildcats in strike outs, wins and innings pitched, pitched another complete game for the Wildcats, giving up only one run on five hits and two walks. In the second doubleheader against Southeastern, the Wildcats swept the Savage Storm 10-9 in 10 innings and 8-2 to complete the series. Following a successful weekend in Oklahoma, the Wildcats moved onward to Arkadelphia, Ark. to take on Henderson State for the second time this season. The Wildcats split a two game series with the Henderson State Reddies and picked up their fourth loss of the season. The Reddies simply out hit and pitched the Wildcats in the first game in a surprising 13-4 loss. The Wildcats answered back in game two against Henderson State behind the pitching of freshman Ryan Quidley to win 4-2. Quidley allowed only six hits in five innings before handing the ball to closer Jason Kennedy. First baseman Matt McGuire led the Wildcats with two hits, two runs and one RBI. McGuire also currently leads the starters with a .443 batting average.
ACU returned home and after several rain delays and rescheduled games, the team swept Southwestern Oklahoma State on Monday. After dominating the first game 19-2, the Wildcats were challenged in game two. In the first two innings, the Wildcats recorded five runs in what seemed like the beginnings of another blowout. The pace of the game shifted immensely after the Southwestern Bulldogs burst onto the score board with seven runs in the top of the fifth to pull ahead 8-5. Southwestern’s fifth inning rally was highlighted by a three-run home run by right fielder Ryan Pease. The Wildcats fired back in the bottom of the fifth, scoring two runs off of sacrifice fly balls and three more off a home run of their own from freshman centerfielder Thomas Bumpass, to pull ahead 10-8. The Bulldogs rallied once more in the final inning off another Pease home run, this time scoring two runs to deadlock the game. With extra innings in sight, catcher Alec Sowards ended the slug fest with a game winning solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to pull one run ahead and win the game 11-10. “I knew what pitch was coming, and our team worked so hard that game, that I told myself I wasn’t going to let this one be a loss,” Sowards said. The Wildcats’ followed the second game battle with Southwestern State with another in town game against the University of Texas Permian-Basin Falcons the next day. The Wildcats were unchallenged all game defensively and came with everything offensively against the Falcons in the 15-4 win. After three upcoming outof-town series, the Wildcats will play their first in-town conference series against the No. 7 Texas A&M Kingsville on the weekend of March 31. E-mail Johnson at: djj04a@acu.edu
Page 12
March 24, 2006 Standings BASEBALL
Team TAMU-K ACU Angelo St. ENMU WTAMU Tarleton St.
Div. 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0-0
Overall 22-3 21-4 18-8 16-12 13-14 10-20
SOFTBALL Team ACU TX Woman’s Angelo St. Tarleton St. ENMU TAMU-K
Div. 5-1 1-0 4-2 5-3 2-2 1-4
Overall 23-8 10-23 18-15 20-9 20-12 12-19
Scores
Track teams place second at nationals n Sophomore Nicodemus Naimadu won the 5,000-meter run as the men’s and women’s team both placed second at the indoor national championships in Boston. By STEVE HOLT Sports Writer
Both the men’s and women’s track and field teams picked up second-place trophies at the NCAA Division II Indoor National Championships on March 10-11 in Boston. The men’s team scored 55
Track and Field points, behind a dominant performance from St. Augustine’s, which scored 66.5 points. The Wildcat women, who compiled 50.3 points, were second behind a dominant Lincoln College (87), edging out thirdplace finisher St. Augustine’s by 1.3 points. In usual fashion, sophomore Nicodemus Naimadu led the way for the men’s team, winning a national title in one event and placing second in
another. Naimadu eased to the win in the 5,000-meter run, finishing in 14 minutes, 7.55 seconds. The Kenyan has now won the last three Division II titles in that event, establishing himself as one of the most dominant distance runners in collegiate track and field. “No one could stay near him,” head coach Don Hood said of Naimadu’s championship run. “To race all that he did in two days and still be able to run away from the field
was very impressive.” Nicodemus also placed second in the mile, finishing just behind Adams State’s Aucencio Martinez in 4:07.77. Hood said Naimadu, who is not known for great speed in the mile run, took the pace out fast in the beginning, draining much of the competition of its energy. “Nicodemus stood out above the rest,” Hood said. “He was a real warrior for us.” Another key factor in the ACU men’s second-place fin-
ish was the performance of the 4x400-meter relay team, which placed second with a time of 3:12.59. The relay team — comprised of Montez Pride, Jordan Johnson, Elton Garus-Oab and Delt Cockrell — was barely edged out by St. Augustine’s, which finished in 3:12.26. The ACU men also managed a runner-up position in the distance medley relay, finishing just behind Adams State in 9:51.33. See
TRACK page 9
Monday
Baseball ACU 19, Southwestern Oklahoma State, 2 ACU 11, Southwestern Oklahoma State, 10 Men’s Tennis ACU 6, Temple College, 1 Texas A&M 7, ACU 0
Softball continues winning ways during the break
Tuesday
Baseball ACU 15, Texas-Permian Basin 4
Wednesday
n The Wildcats won seven of nine games during spring break to improve its record to 23-8 for the year. The team plays four games at Tarleton State this weekend.
Men’s Tennis Western Florida 6, ACU 8 Men’s Tennis Western Florid 8, ACU 1
Upcoming Schedule
By ASHLEY MOORE
Friday Baseball ACU at Cameron, noon (DH) Softball ACU at Tarleton State, 1 p.m. (DH) Men’s Tennis ACU vs. Wildcat Invitational Women’s Tennis ACU vs. Wildcat Invitational
Saturday Baseball ACU at Cameron, noon (DH) Softball ACU at Tarleton State, noon (DH) track & Field ACU at Dr Pepper Invitational, Waco Men’s Tennis ACU vs. Wildcat Invitational Women’s Tennis ACU vs. Wildcat Invitational
Monday Golf ACU at Kickingbird Classic, Edmond, Okla.
Tuesday Golf ACU at Kickingbird Classic, Edmond, Okla.
• Home games listed in italics
Tennis teams get tested on the road n The tennis teams posted impressive victories during the break, and played tough opponents in Texas A&M and the University of West Florida. By MICHAEL FREEMAN Sports Writer
The tennis teams returned from a busy spring break this year with some impressive victories. The Wildcat women cruised over St. Mary’s University 9-0 and Midwestern State University 8-1, but the team lost to the University of West Florida 8-1. The men beat St. Mary’s 8-1, Midwestern State 5-4 and Temple College 6-1, but fell to Texas A&M 7-0 and West Florida 6-3. The women improved their record to 15-3, and the men are now 9-4 on the season. On March 11, the ACU women traveled to New Braunfels to take on St. Mary’s University. Without dropping a set, the women swept St. Mary’s 9-0. The following day, the Wildcats crushed the 39th-ranked Mustangs of Midwestern See
TENNIS page 9
Sports Writer
Gary Rhodes/Contributing Photographer
Former Wildcat running back Rashon Myles runs the three-cone drill for scouts and coaches at ACU’s pro day March 11.
Pro day for pro play Former Wildcats Danieal Manning, Rashon Myles, Clayton Farrell, Robb Spells and Chase Fishback worked out in front of NFL scouts at ACU’s pro day March 11. By JARED FIELDS
Football
Representatives from a dozen NFL teams came to the Wildcats’ pro day March 11 to see prospects work out. Among the former Wildcats were running back Rashon Myles, defensive lineman Clayton Farrell, receiver Robb Spells and punter Chase Fishback. Danieal Manning attended the pro day, but ran only the three-cone and 60-yard cone drills before going through position drills for the scouts. After attending the NFL Combine, Manning ran at Texas
A&M’s pro day before working out in Abilene. He didn’t have much to gain by running here, but said he came more for his teammates. “The whole purpose was to help them out,” Manning said. “Right now, I still have four more workouts planned before the draft.” Manning’s presence attracted interest from many teams who otherwise might not have come to see the Wildcat players. The player who benefited most from Manning was run-
Sports Editor
ning back Myles. “Today I upped my stock because of Manning,” Myles said. “It gave us a chance to show our stuff.” Myles showed his stuff with impressive measures in all categories. He made a 37-inch vertical and 10-7 broad jump and ran a 4.5 second 40-yard dash. Myles said his only disappointment was in the 40-yard dash because he ran a 4.46 at the Cactus Bowl, but did better than he wanted to do in everything else. See
PRO DAY page 9
The Wildcat softball team kept busy during spring break, winning seven of nine games in the past two weeks. The team split a pair against Incarnate Word on March 9, followed by four wins at a tournament in Austin. The Wildcats finished the break by defeating Angelo State in a double-header on March 17.
Incarnate Word The Wildcats’ 5-1 win in the first game against Incarnate Word began the streak of games well, but the team couldn’t keep the momentum going in the second game, falling 2-0. Jennifer Leal pitched the first game, and Sarah Vidalin pitched the second. Nicole Deel hit a three RBI home run in the first game to put the Wildcats at a two-point advantage over the Cardinals. She then hit a single in the fifth, which helped Claudia Stephens score one more run to seal the win. But even with five hits and no errors, the team couldn’t take a second win.
Softball St. Edward’s Tournament The women then traveled to Austin for the St. Edward’s tournament, where they defeated four out of five teams. In a confidence boosting first game, ACU won 18-0 in five innings against Concordia. Kristine Beristianos and Allison Crouse pitched and only allowed four hits. Crouse also added four runs to the game, and Stephens reached home plate for three runs. “That was a really fun game because everyone was able to contribute to the win,” sophomore pitcher Melanie Smith said. The Wildcats defeated Mesa State 3-1 in the second game of the tournament. Leal pitched and added another win to her record. ACU lost momentum in the third game, falling 7-6 to Incarnate Word, with Crouse and Leal both pitching. The team began the game with a three RBI homer by Nicole Deel to put the Wildcats in the lead for a short time. But Incarnate Word fired back with seven runs in the next two innings. Johnson hit a two RBI homer, and Krumpols hit a third run in the fifth for ACU, but the team couldn’t pull out a win. The Wildcats shut out the last two teams they played in See
SOFTBALL page 9
Golf wins at St. Andrew’s Invitational n The golf team won the St. Andrew’s Invitational at Pinehurst, N.C. on Monday and placed four golfers in the top six; all placed in the top 20. By BRIAN HOLLAND Sports Writer
Head coach of the golf team, Mike Campbell, sits at his desk with a smile on his face, a first place trophy mounted in the background. With his team’s first win of the year coming at the St. Andrew’s Invitational held in
Golf Pinehurst, N.C., on Monday, it seems as though Campbell has plenty to smile about. Coming into the tournament, the Wildcats held the highest ranking of any team invited to the course and showed why, leading the whole way through to eventually take home the trophy. The planned two-day tournament was forced to convene after the first day, as the Wildcats played just six holes before the weather played a
part in the round. “The conditions were pretty difficult,” Campbell said. “You’ve got to just get it done, and we grinded it out pretty well at the end.” Four of ACU’s golfers came out in the top six individually in the tournament and all came out within the top 20 of the 72 golfers. The underclassmen led the way for the Wildcats with excellent play from Patrick Hannauer, a freshman from Belgium, and Curtis Harris, a sophomore from Eastland.
Both ended with a 74 for the tournament and a fourth-place finish individually, but were closely followed by juniors Kyle Byerly (75) of Keller and Cian Daly (75) of Limerick, Ireland, who came in sixth. But with no top-25 ranked teams of 13 teams at St. Andrew’s and some being Division III teams, the question is how well the Wildcats will do in a tournament against conference foes. Before this tournament, the Wildcats have averaged just below a seventh-place finish as a
team, and are ranked 27th in Division II, while three other Lone Star Conference teams occupy spots in the top 25. While Campbell said he’s looking for this team to go to the regional tournament in May and eventually clench a national tournament berth, he won’t let himself get ahead. For now, the Wildcats look ahead only to the next tournament, which is Monday in Edmond at the University of Central Oklahoma Kickingbird Classic. E-mail Holland at: beh03e@acu.edu
Baseball team racks up wins n The Wildcats went 7-2 for the week and dropped to No. 3 in the nation with before division play begins next week against Tarleton State in Stephenville. By DANIEL JOHNSON Sports Writer
With conference play only one week away and two tough out of town series against LSC conference rivals Angelo State and Tarleton State on the horizon, the No. 3 Wildcats are looking to finish off their preseason with a strong showing
Baseball in their last LSC crossover series against Cameron University. After falling one spot from No. 2 to No. 3 in the Collegiate Baseball Magazine poll, the Wildcats will attempt to work out all the kinks in the bullpen this weekend. They anticipate their batting lineup to continue hitting well in their last series against a LSC North team before divisional play, said head coach Britt Bonneau.
“We’re going into this weekend to fit the holes we still have in our pitching,” Bonneau said. “It would be great to get four solid games out of the pitching staff and gain some confidence before heading into conference play.” So far the preseason has been more than successful for the Wildcats, who hold an overall record of 24-4 and lead the LSC in wins, runs scored, team batting average, See
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brian schmidt/Chief Photographer
Shortstop Ruben Rivera flips the ball to second baseman Morgan Colonel for a fielder’s choice on Texas-Permian Basin first baseman Ryan Roberts in the top of the seventh inning of the Wildcats 15-4 victory Tuesday.